APR’s transfer policy hurting local football

Usher Komugisha APR is the most successful football club in Rwanda despite having come to the scene only 22 years ago—it should be noted that the army side boasts of a more decorated trophy cabinet than pioneer clubs like SC Kiyovu, Rayon Sports and Mukura Victory Sport that were formed in the 1960s, all put together. Many would point out the APR management especially coming from a disciplined background and more discreet way of doing things but their financial prowess has also granted them the platform to buy the best players in the country. While at it, they seem altruistic in the search for domestic and regional supremacy but it comes off as a very self-centered motive for them to sign the best players in the country only for some to end up warming the bench for most of their time at the club before they are flogged out at some stage. APR have acquired the services of center-back Faustin Usengimana from archrivals Rayon Sports to replace Emery Bayisenge after the latter recently signed for Austrian second division club Lask Link. Usengimana will partner APR captain Ismael Nshutiyamagara at centre back but unless either is injured, Herve Rugwiro and Abdul Rwatubyaye might have to wait for their chance in the Peace Cup. This was the case last season and the pair failed to look the part when they were called up to the national team provisional squad. In Bayisenge’s absence at the CECAFA Kagame Cup last month in Dar es Salaam, Rwatubyaye who has undisputed potential described with agility, physicality and the art of good tackling, did well in the three group matches until he was found lacking by Sudanese debutants Al Khartoum, who thrashed APR 4-0 in the quarter-finals. This can be blamed on the lack of enough playing time, which is key to giving a player a certain high level of alertness, anticipation and communication with the rest of the defense and goalkeeper for that matter. A close look at APR’s holding midfield which pits Andrew Buteera, Djihad Bizimana and Yannick Mukunzi all of who also feature for the national team – Amavubi Stars, but only two of them can play at a time for both club and country. At left wing, both Jean Claude Iranzi and Patrick Sibomana are capable of starting on the Amavubi side but only one can feature regularly at club level and in this case it will be Iranzi for his experience. Michel Ndahinduka, Issa Bigirimana and Bernabe Mubumbyi fight for the two or sometimes one slot upfront but for all their qualities, they never amass considerable playing time to showcase their worth. It is this reason therefore that teenage midfield sensation Kevin Muhire (Isonga) chose to join Rayon Sports where he can get unlimited playing time and gain more match experience than Maxime Sekamana who despite being APR’s top scorer last season with six goals, did not play more than 10 league games. It should also be noted that, 11 of the 18 players that travelled to Maputo to face Mozambique in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, were APR players yet only eight were regular starters at club level. That is why I think that some of these players can be sold or sent out on loan to clubs where they can get more playing time. It benefits Rwandan football in the long run.